The association had been due to hold its annual event in Marrakech in October, which will now be pushed back a year.

A UK-based industry seminar will be organised in its place this autumn.

Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer described the event as a combination of the Travel Convention and its Travel Matters conference (usually held in June), which would focus “particularly on issues and opportunities as the industry rebuilds from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic”.

More details will be “released in due course”, Abta said.

Discussions between Abta and the Moroccan National Tourism Office prompted the event switch, with both parties agreeing “attention and resources should be focused on dealing with the current critical situation impacting the travel industry in both the UK and Morocco”.

Tanzer added: “We are very disappointed to have to postpone this year’s planned convention in Marrakech, but the current circumstances left us with little choice.

“I am delighted the Moroccan National Tourism Office has confirmed its support for hosting the event in October 2021, and I have no doubt that the convention then will be a great success for our hosts, our delegates and our headline partners.”